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Aralects’ founder tackles the concept of diglossia, describing its essential role in shaping Arab linguistic identity and culture. Introducing Aralects, he shares a vision for revolutionizing Arabic language learning by bridging the gap between formal Arabic and vibrant dialects.
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Diglossia. This word — diglossiadiglossiaDiglossia in Arabic refers to the coexistence of two distinct forms of the language—Modern Standard Arabic (Fus’ha) used formally, and various regional dialects used in everyday communication. — has inhabited every corner of my mind for months now, ever since I decided to embark on this colossal journey of reformation. Nine months ago, I began assisting an acquaintance—now a dear friend, a heritage speaker of Levantine Arabic—in reconnecting with her linguistic roots. Little did I know that this seemingly modest act of teaching would lead me directly to the article you're currently reading.
Although diglossia had always been familiar territory for me, providing my daily bread as a researcher and practitioner in Arabic language technologies, I had yet to fully grasp that it was not merely an aspect of Arabic, but rather the foundation of countless struggles—linguistic and beyond—in the Arab world. I decided to confront this beast head-on, this MinotaurMinotaurThe Minotaur is a mythical creature with a bull’s head and human body, imprisoned in a labyrinth, slain by the Greek hero Theseus, who escaped the labyrinth, using a thread provided by Ariadne, daughter of King Minos. few dare to face. It resides at the heart of a labyrinth of cultural complexities, subtly surfacing throughout our daily lives without most of us ever realizing its presence. A beast that has stood resilient through millennia, untouched and unchallenged. Equipped with my long thread of good intentions, I eventually found it, but unlike Theseus, I chose not to slay it—I chose friendship instead.
Diglossia is here to stay, an integral element of our identity as Arabs. Many of us remain unaware of its existence because it has woven itself seamlessly into our daily interactions, often becoming invisible. The dinosaursdinosaursThe "dinosaurs" are the linguistic gatekeepers roaming the Arabic landscape, quietly fossilizing innovation while politely pretending extinction isn’t imminent. of the Arabic language—as an old friend of mine tends to call them, may deny diglossia's existence, but diglossia is now my friend, inseparable from who I am.
"Teach Arabic Fus'haFus'haFus’ha (Standard Arabic) is the formal variant of Arabic used in literature, media, education, and official contexts across the Arab world, distinct from dialectal Arabic, which comprises region-specific varieties spoken in daily life. (فصحى)," they insist, "it’s the common language binding all Arabs." Yet, venture online in your pursuit to master Arabic, and you might soon find yourself expertly fumbling through a timid request for bread at the local bakery, rewarded only by the baker’s puzzled stare—or, if fortune smiles, an appreciative nod acknowledging your bravery in at least trying. The trap has been skillfully laid out by generations before us, by the dinosaurs (ours have not gone extinct just yet), and even by ourselves. To learn a dialect or Fus’ha? The answer lies in embracing both—Yin and Yang, opposites yet inseparable. Learning only one is merely capturing half the story, with the other half haunting you forever.
Arabic dialects are the vibrant pulse of our communities—the language of the streets, the warmth within our families, and the authentic voice of our collective memory. They encapsulate far more than words; they convey histories, cultures, emotions, and identities impossible to fully express through standardized forms alone. Dialects aren't deviations; they celebrate our diversity. Rather than fragmenting unity, they reinforce it, allowing each of us to offer something uniquely familiar.
AralectsAralectsArabic dialects... the living voices of millions, echoing love, struggle, and identity across time and borders., like Ariadne's thread, guided me to befriending the Minotaur. We’re creating an inclusive environment where people from all walks of life—whether native speakers, heritage speakersHeritage speakersHeritage speakers are individuals who grow up in a home where a non-majority language is spoken and who are to some degree bilingual in that language and the dominant language of the society they live in., or complete beginners—can establish their own relationship with diglossia. Today's digital tools commonly fail learners by conveniently teaching only a fraction of the whole story and neglecting to personalize learning experiences according to two critical factors:
At Aralects, expertise is not something we lack. Rooted firmly in the Arab world, we aspire to revolutionize Arabic language learning—one dialect at a time. To achieve this, we're actively seeking talented individuals from the Arab world eager to ignite their potential alongside us in Education, Artificial Intelligence, Software Development, and Content Creation.
Our mission is clear: to disrupt the status quo and usher in a new era of Arabic learning.
This blog, along with Aralects itself, is crafted for anyone captivated by the rich diversity and beauty of Arabic dialects. Whether you're a heritage speaker reconnecting with your roots, a language enthusiast pursuing authentic fluency, a linguist fascinated by dialectal variations, an educator pioneering new methods, or simply someone passionate about cultural diversity, you are warmly welcomed here.
My friends often ask me, "Why Aralects? What problem is it solving?" Aralects is tackling the problem at the heart of Arabic language learning today: the disconnect between dialects and formal Arabic. We're bridging gaps that have long separated learners from true fluency and cultural authenticity. By merging dialectal richness with the depth of Fus’ha, Aralects empowers learners not just to speak, but to belong—to communicate confidently and authentically in the real world.
The journey has been far from easy, and the challenges along the way have been both genuine and enlightening—with many yet to fully reveal themselves. Countless hours have been spent thinking, brainstorming, sketching, and reimagining ideas, always chasing that elusive spark of innovation. There have been endless hours dedicated to scouting talent, seeking collaborators who share the vision, and navigating complex relationships that sometimes led nowhere. Paths frequently turned into dead ends, and decisions made with conviction often met unexpected obstacles. I've faced countless rejections, received difficult feedback, and encountered skepticism from key stakeholders. Yet, despite each setback, the determination to move forward has remained steadfast, fueled by passion and unwavering belief in Aralects' mission.
Building Aralects from scratch has been a profound education in business strategy, market analysis, language learning, and product design. I’ve had the privilege of connecting with incredible people, stakeholders, and visionaries at conferences and events, relationships that I hope to continue nurturing with the community’s invaluable support. What started as just a budding idea—born from countless hours spent interviewing users to deeply understand the struggles of Arabic learners and refined through startup competitions—has evolved into a clear business vision, and we’re now working tirelessly to bring this dream fully to life.
Are we an AI startup, or are we an education startup? Look around you: AI is more prevalent than ever, especially with the rapid rise of large language models (LLMs). Will they take your job soon? Probably not. LLMs, the most hyped and prized possession of the AI diaspora, still struggle with menial tasks and hallucinate more than a raccoon in a dumpster full of expired energy drinks–though admittedly, they're great at coming up with these quirky morsels. But as that random Facebook ad keeps reminding me, “AI won't take your job, but someone who knows AI might.”
Today's language learning apps, no matter their approach, share one critical shortfall: a lack of truly personalized learning experiences. Consider this: the Arabic curriculum on DuolingoDuolingoLeading language learning app with by far the greatest number of Arabic learners out of all language apps. has roughly the same number of lessons as High ValyrianHigh ValyrianHigh Valyrian is a constructed language (conlang) created for the HBO show Game of Thrones.—a fictional language last time I checked, certainly not the fifth-most spoken language in the world with over 400 million native speakers. At Aralects, we're channeling our expertise in artificial intelligence and linguistics to craft the most personalized, enriching, and authentic experience possible for learning this beautiful, rich, and complex language. And this is an experience you will only find here.
Shoutout to my Editor-in-Chief Mr. GPT.
Language technology expert and researcher, and entrepreneur, Christian works at the frontier between language and computers, minimizing friction between them.
